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Embryonic death followed by resorption is a conserved process in mammals. Among the polyovular species, Lagostomus maximus (plains viscacha) constitutes a model of early and physiological embryonic death, since out of a total of 10-12 implants, 8-10 are resorbed during early/intermediate gestation, surviving are only the most caudal implantations of each uterine horn. This regular reproductive event is unique to this species, but many characteristics of the implantations during the early gestation of L. maximus, when embryonic death processes begin are unknown. The aim of the present work was to analyze the implantation sites of this species using morphological, morphometric, histochemical, lectinhistochemical, and immunohistochemical techniques to infer the possible causes of this event. Macroscopically, the length and width of the implantation sites significantly increased in a craniocaudal direction. Histochemically, the implantation sites did not differ in the expression of glycoconjugates and glycosidic residues. Furthermore, no variations were observed in cell renewal, hormone receptor expression, and decidualization. Both the glandular and vascular areas of the implantation sites significantly increased in the craniocaudal axis. Some necrotic cells and an inflammatory response with a predominance of lymphocytes and fibrin were observed in the cranial and middle but not in the caudal implantation sites. We conclude that signs of embryonic death and resorption are already observed in the early gestation of L. maximus. Our results reaffirm the hypothesis that postulates the key potential role of uterine glands and blood vessels in the gestation of the species, with emphasis on embryonic death. This pattern of embryonic death in L. maximus makes this species an unconventional mammalian model, which adds to the peculiarities of polyovulation (200-800 oocytes/estrus) and hemochorial placentation.

The short-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla) is a species classified as endangered throughout its distribution and for which neither a conservation nor management plan exists. Ecological niche models (ENMs) allow detection of potential areas of occurrence for species that are rare and/or of conservation interest. Here, we built and evaluated a suite of ENMs that incorporated new records for the species in Bolivia and removed those whose veracity could not be confirmed to provide an updated estimate of the extent of suitable habitat for C. chinchilla. Following model selection based on partial ROC, omission rate, and AICc, we then projected our top models across the historical distribution of C. chinchilla to identify locations of potentially suitable habitat. An ensemble of top models highlighted suitable habitat in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, with values of probability of suitable habitat up to 0.72. Together, these results demonstrate that suitable habitat still exists across the historical range of this species, provide insight into the climatic niche of this species, and highlight areas across the four countries for which future surveys of wild populations may be worthwhile.

The paper approaches deal with fine differential morphological and morphometrical aspects of the structure of three main blood vessels in Chinchilla lanigera: the common iliac artery, the internal iliac artery and the external iliac artery. A series of morphological assessments combined with morphometrical data of the intimal layer, dimensions of the media of the vessels, number of elastic laminae and characteristics observed, alow an interesting conclusion when data is regarded in the light of the classical division of the vessels – of muscular, elastic or transitional type. A complex statistical approach (PostHoc tests) is added to highlight some fine differences in terms of metrical data among these three arteries. The complex statistical investigation brings some interesting facts in terms of series resemblances, leading to a reasonable conclusion that the transition from elastic to muscular type of arteries should not be regarded inflexibly, arteries sharing different features, depending on anatomical sector and species.

A new genus and species of chinchilloid rodent is described here. It was found in Colhuehuapian levels (early Miocene) of the localities of Bryn Gwyn and Gran Barranca, Chubut Province, Argentina. The new taxon shows a unique combination of characters (e.g., protohypsodont teeth, upper molars trilophodont, m1 and m2 tri- or tetralophodont with the second crest in position of variable development, and m3 trilophodont, cement absent) that make it different from any other known chinchilloids. We performed a phylogenetic analysis to corroborate the relationships of the new taxon within the Chinchilloidea. Our results indicate that the new taxon is best classified as Chinchilloidea incertae sedis, together with Incamys, Garridomys, and Scotamys. These species form the basal stock that leads to the modern lineage Chinchillidae (chinchillas and viscachas). The presence of the new taxon in these localities increases the diversity of chinchilloids during the early Miocene and reduces the dissimilarity between the faunas found in Bryn Gwyn and Gran Barranca. Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espèce de rongeur chinchilloïde sont ici décrits. Celui-ci a été trouvé dans les niveaux colhuéhuapiens (Miocène inférieur des localités de Bryn Gwyn et de Gran Baranca, province de Chubut, Argentine). Le nouveau taxon montre une combinaison unique de caractères (à savoir, dents protohypsodontes, molaires supérieures trilophodontes, m1 et m2 tri- ou tétralophodontes avec la seconde crête en position de développement variable et m3 trilophodonte, ciment absent) qui le rend différent de tous les autres chinchilloïdes connus. Une analyse phylogénétique a été réalisée pour confirmer les relations du nouveau taxon au sein des Chinchilloidea. Nos résultats montrent que le nouveau taxon se classe au mieux en tant que Chinchilloida incertae sedis, avec Incamys, Garridomys et Scotamys. Ces espèces forment le stock basal qui conduit à la lignée moderne des Chinchillidae (chinchillas et viscachas). La présence du nouveau taxon dans ces localités augmente la diversité des chinchilloïdes pendant le Miocène inférieur et réduit la différence entre les faunes trouvées à Bryn Gwyn et à Gran Barranca. Fil: Busker, Felipe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Pérez, María E.. Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio; Argentina Fil: Dozo, María T.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina

We report the first record of albinism in vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia) based on two adult individuals sighted in department of Apurímac, in Peru. This record represents the first report of albinism in Chinchillidae., Se documenta el primer registro de albinismo de vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia) con base en dos individuos avistados en el departamento de Apurímac, en Perú. Este registro representa el primer reporte de albinismo en la familia Chinchillidae.

Lagostomus maximus (Rodentia, Chinchillidae), or Plains vizcacha, is a caviomorph rodent that inhabits semiarid grasslands and desert scrub of central and northern Argentina, southern Paraguay and southeastern Bolivia. A particular behavior of the Plains vizcacha is the collection and transport of bones, dried dung and branches, among other objects, which are accumulated near the vizcacheras entrances. A bone concentration, originated in active vizcacheras of the southwestern Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), was studied from a taphonomic point of view for one year. The obtained results reflect that Plains vizcacha represents an important bone accumulating agent in the Argentine Pampas, and it is capable of producing large concentrations. Moreover, their vizcacheras act as natural traps that may favor the accumulation and preservation of the bone remains. The information obtained through this actualistic study provides new information on the ecology of this rodent and, in turn, introduces a framework of reference for the identification of similar concentrations in the fossil record., This work was supported by Project05-Gof Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNLPam, Argentina.

This study reports the histochemistry and the distribution of glycoconjugates (GCs) in the zona pellucida (ZP) of preantral, secondary, tertiary, polyovulatory and atretic follicles of ovaries from non-pregnant (NPr) and pregnant (Pr) females of Lagostomus maximus. GCs were studied using histochemical and lectin histochemical methods. The viscacha ZP was positive to all the histochemical techniques. In addition, it was observed that the intensity of staining of the ZP was constant in the different follicular stages between both female groups. The lectin histochemical study revealed that ZP was positive for certain lectins (WGA, RCA-I and CON-A) and that the labelling did not vary between the different follicular stages, but between the two groups of females. By using both histochemical techniques, it was established that the GCs present in the ZP label the complexity of the area. These results allow us to increase our knowledge on the biology of the viscacha's ovary, particularly contributing to the study of polyovulation. Fil: Acuña, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina Fil: Tano de la Hoz, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Díaz, Alcira Ofelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Portiansky, Enrique Leo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina Fil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina Fil: Flamini, Mirta Alicia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina

The aim of the present study was to examine the parasite fauna present in mountain viscacha Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorpha, Chinchillidae) fecal pellets collected from 'Cueva Peligro', a cave located in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, throughout the last 1200 years. A total of 84 samples were examined for parasites. Each pellet was whole processed: rehydrated, homogenized, sediment and examined using light microscopy. The samples and eggs of parasites present were described, measured and photographed. Thirty-eight samples tested positive for the nematodes Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989, Helminthoxys effilatus Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1951 (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae), Trichuris sp. Roederer, 1761 (Trichinellida: Trichuridae) and one anoplocephalid species (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae). This is the first time that H. effilatus is reported from ancient times. Significant differences of parasite occurrences through this temporal period were recorded. Parasitic life cycles and their presence along the studied period are so discussed. Fil: Beltrame, María Ornela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina Fil: Cañal, Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina Fil: Tietze, Eleonor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: de Tommaso, Daniela Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina

The Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is one of the largest rodents in South America. They live in communal burrow systems (vizcacheras) shaped by complex subterranean galleries which produce a strong impact on the local landscape. This paper presents the results of an actualistic study conducted with abandoned vizcacheras from the Pampas region of Argentina. The main objective is to evaluate the role of this rodent in the formation of the fossil record. Results indicate that the Plains vizcacha is responsible for the mixing, accumulation, and transport of materials; such as sticks, caliche, dung, feces, and abundant bone remains. Their burrowing activity and the accumulating habits, modifies the landscape, creating environments conducive to the buildup of objects and the reuse by different animals. These characteristics result in very complex associations of materials of different origins; making this rodent an important taphonomic agent with the potential to significantly impact the fossil record. Fil: Rafuse, Daniel Joseph. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Kaufmann, Cristian Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Gutierrez, Maria Amelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Gonzalez, Mariela Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Scheifler, Nahuel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Massigoge, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina

Osteohistological studies provide information on the life history of extant and extinct vertebrates, such as growth dynamics, age, body size, sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, soft tissues, among others aspects. In this work, we evaluate the histological changes occurred during the ontogeny of extant representatives of plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, through the analysis of limb bones in order to evaluate biological and ecological features of their life history. The results obtained are used as framework for the recognition of ontogenetic stages in isolated fossil limb bones of this species. The osteohistology clearly vary according to the ontogenetic stage of the individuals. It is described, for the first time, the presence of a neonatal line in rodents. We could identify different microstructural features that favor the correlation among extant and fossil representatives of L. maximus. It is considered that the mid-shaft of the humeri, femora and tibiae does not represent the most propitious sector to make the thin sections, since the modeling process there has erased part of the bone growth history of the individuals. This study contributes to the general knowledge of the bone histology of rodents. Fil: Garrone, Mariana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina Fil: Cerda, Ignacio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina Fil: Tomassini, Rodrigo Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina

Caviomorph rodents represent a major adaptive radiation of Neotropical mammals. They occupy a variety of ecological niches, which is also reflected in their wide array of locomotor behaviors. It is expected that this radiation would be mirrored by an equivalent disparity of tarsal-metatarsal morphology. Here, the tarsal-metatarsal complex of Erethizontidae, Cuniculidae, Dasyproctidae, Caviidae, Chinchillidae, Octodontidae, Ctenomyidae, and Echimyidae was examined, in order to evaluate its anatomical variation and functional-adaptive relevance in relation to locomotor behaviors. A qualitative study in functional morphology and a geometric morphometric analysis were performed. We recognized two distinct tarsal-metatarsal patterns that represent the extremes of anatomical variation in the foot. The first, typically present in arboreal species, is characterized by features that facilitate movements at different levels of the tarsal-metatarsal complex. The second pattern, typically present in cursorial caviomorphs, has a set of features that act to stabilize the joints, improve the interlocking of the tarsal bones, and restrict movements to the parasagittal plane. The morphological disparity recognized in this study seems to result from specific locomotor adaptations to climb, dig, run, jump and swim, as well as phylogenetic effects within and among the groups studies.

Ubilla, M. & Rinderknecht, A., April 2016. Lagostomus maximus (Desmarest) (Rodentia, Chinchillidae), the extant plains vizcacha in the Late Pleistocene of Uruguay. Alcheringa 40, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518The extant plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is described from the Late Pleistocene (Dolores Formation) of Uruguay based on an almost complete articulated skeleton. It is compared with the nominally extinct Pleistocene species of the genus. An AMS 14C taxon-age is determined for L. maximus at 11 879 ± 95 years BP (cal. BP 13 898–13 941). Lagostomus maximus is absent from modern mammal communities in Uruguay, and no Holocene evidence is available. Because L. maximus exhibits remarkable sexual and ontogenetic dimorphism, we examined a range of juvenile, sub-adult and adult male and female specimens. It is not possible to differentiate the articulated Pleistocene fossil from sub-adult specimens of L. maximus based on this sample. Moreover, the skull characteristics, including a broad vertical ramus of the z...

Chinchilla chinchilla (Lichtenstein, 1830), a hystricomorph rodent of the family Chinchillidae, is a highland species that inhabits the Andean foothills of northern Chile and southern Bolivia, specifically the Antofagasta and Atacama regions in Chile and Potosi in Bolivia, at elevations of 3,500–5,000 m. It has a silky-soft pelage of extremely dense and long fur, the color of which is bluish, pearl, or brownish gray on the dorsum. The furry tail is covered with coarse hairs on the dorsal surface. C. chinchilla is distinguished from Lagidium and Lagotomus by its small size and differs from C. lanigera in its smaller rounded ears and a shorter tail. Although new populations were found recently, this species is considered “Critically Endangered” requiring continued protection by law and further research of its genetics and ecology.

Chinchilla chinchilla (Lichtenstein, 1830) Short-tailed Chinchilla Eriomys chinchilla Lichtenstein, 1830:plate 28. Type locality unknown; stated as Peru by Prell, 1934a:102 (Osgood, 1941:410); Allen, 1942:391 states that Lichtenstein ���implied that the specimen came from Chile, not Peru.��� Callomys aureus D���Orbigny and I. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1830: 289. Chinchilla in their composite genus Callomys. Lagostomus laniger: Wagler, 1831:614. Part, not laniger G. I. Molina. Lagostomus chinchilla: Meyen, 1833:586. Name combination. Chinchilla brevicaudata Waterhouse, 1848:41. Type locality ��� Peru.��� Chinchilla brevicaudata var. major: Trouessart, 1898:628. Name combination. Chinchilla boliviana Brass, 1911:613. Type locality ���aus Peruist sehr selten geworden. ���Die fiensten Felle kommen aus der Gegend von Tacna und Arica.��� Chinchilla intermedia Dennler, 1939:95. Holotype probably specimen 13037 from Museo Argentino de Ciencias mission, by Agust��an Iriarte, Nicolas Lagos, and Rodrigo Villalobos. Naturales ���Bernardino Rivadavia,��� type locality: Abra Pampa, National Breeding from Jujuy. Chinchilla laniger boliviana: G. M. Allen, 1942:389. Name combination. Chinchilla laniger brevicaudata: G. M. Allen, 1942:389. Name combination. Chinchilla chinchilla chinchilla: Osgood, 1941:410. First use of current name combination. Chinchilla chinchilla boliviana: Osgood, 1943:136. Name combination. Chinchilla brevicaudata boliviana: Cabrera, 1960:201. Name combination. Chinchilla brevicaudata brevicaudata: Cabrera, 1960:201. Name combination. CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Rodentia, suborder Hystricomorpha, infraorderHystricognathi, familyChinchillidae, subfamily Chinchillinae. The family Chinchillidae (Rodentia: Hystricognathi) contains 3 genera: Chinchilla with 2 species (C.chinchilla and C. lanigera), Lagidium with 3 species (L.ahua - caensis, L. viscacia, and L. wolffsohni), and Lagostomus with 2 species (L. crassus and L. maximus ���Woods and Kilpatrick 2005; Ledesma et al. 2009; Spotorno and Valladares 2016). Chinchilla chinchilla is monotypic, although several other forms have been described for the high plateau of Per��, Bolivia, and Argentina. However, because C. chinchilla is now extremely rare in the wild and may be extirpated in the greater part of its pre-Columbian distribution, its taxonomic relationship to wild populations of C. chinchilla probably will never be confirmed. NOMENCLATURAL NOTES. The genus Chinchilla and its species have had a controversial taxonomic history. Opinions differ in the number of species recognized: 1 (Bennett 1829; Autran 1906; Osgood 1941) or 2 (Cabrera 1961; Woods 1993; Spotorno et al. 2004a; Woods and Kilpatrick 2005) or 3 (Bidlingmaier 1937; Prell 1934b), but according to Miller et al. (1983) this taxonomic issue can never be resolved because no wild populations of other putative species or subspecies are known. Lichtenstein (1830) described Eriomys chinchilla from near Lima, Peru (Prell 1934a; Osgood 1941, 1943), or probably north of Chile (Allen 1942). Waterhouse (1848) described Chinchilla brevicaudata from Peru, but according to Osgood (1943), it was based on the same specimens as E. chinchilla Lichtenstein, evidently a renaming to avoid tautonomy. The northern chinchilla has received several names: Callomys aureus d���Orbigny and Geoffroy, 1830; Chinchilla major Trouessart, 1898; Chinchilla boliviana Brass, 1911; Chinchilla intermedia Dennler, 1939; Chinchilla lanigera boliviana Allen; 1942 and Chinchilla lanigera brevicaudata Allen, 1942; Chinchilla chinchilla Prell, 1934b and Chinchilla boliviana Prell, 1934b; Chinchilla c. chinchilla Osgood, 1941 and C. c. boliviana Osgood, 1943; Chinchilla brevicaudata brevicaudata Cabrera, 1961 and C. brevicaudata boliviana Cabrera, 1961 but these authors did not designate a type specimen. Cabrera (1960, 1961), Ipinza (1969), Tamayo and Frassinetti (1980), Woods (1993), Redford and Eisenberg (1992), and Spotorno et al. (2004 a, 2004b) recognized C. brevicaudata Waterhouse (1848), but Anderson (1997) and Valladares (2002) recognized C. chinchilla (Lichtenstein, 1830) for the ���shorttailed��� chinchilla species. Spotorno et al. (2004a) recognized 2 species based on molecular divergence in cytochrome- b gene sequences. Tate (1935) recognized Chinchilla as the genus and the species lanigera Molina, but he was not sure about the taxonomic position of C. chinchilla and C. brevicaudata. Waterhouse (1848) described C. brevicaudata based on 3 specimens identified as E. chinchilla, 1 at the Berlin Museum (not seen by him) and 2 at the Leyden Museum, which he measured himself (C. Smeenk, in litt.). Both specimens were collected or obtained by D���Orbigny and Pr��vost and described as a new species by Waterhouse. D���Orbigny collected specimens in Bolivia between July 1830 and June 1833 and stayed in La Paz from 19 April to 27 June 1833, during which he arranged and packed his collections amassed during his various expeditions in the country. La Paz may have been only the place where the specimens were acquired or shipped rather than the exact collecting locality. Specimens obtained by Pr��vost from Chile are not further documented; the Leiden Museum received some mammals from him in 1835 and 1839. According to C. Smeenk (in litt.), both specimens were determined as syntypes (National Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden [RMNH.MAM.] 39393 and [RMNH.MAM.] 39394). On other hand, the specimen reviewed by Lichtenstein is deposited in the Museum f��r Naturkunde, Leibniz Institut for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity at the Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, with number BZN1878; the label states E. chinchilla, collected by Salmin in Per��. Finally, the specimen reviewed by Bennett (1829) is deposited in the collection of the Department of Zoology (Mammal section) of the Natural History Museum of London (code GMCM 54a1��� Valladares et al. 2014b). In the absence of consensus on the priority of the species name, the matter was referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN-case 3278), appealing to Article 23 of the International Comission on Zoological Nomenclature (1999) to establish the Law of Priority over the most commonly used name. This request was answered on 1 September 2003, stating that the specific epithet chinchilla is the oldest available for the species and is therefore valid (Valladares and Spotorno 2003). It was also suggested to determine a neotype for the Chinchilla genus (Bennett 1829), for lanigera (Molina 1782) and for chinchilla (Lichtenstein 1830) to contribute to taxonomic stability. DIAGNOSIS Chinchilla chinchilla can be distinguished from the longtailed chinchilla C. lanigera by larger size (head and body length> 320 mm, shorter ears C. chinchilla and 23 in C. lanigera (Cabrera 1960). The lengths of the humerus and radius (30.4 mm) are the same in both bones in C. lanigera, but are 35.5 and 39.0 mm, respectively, in C. chinchilla; ulna length is 40.6 mm in C. lanigera, and 48.75 mm in C. chinchilla. Tibia length is almost double (1.92��) that of the radius in C. lanigera, but only 1.75�� in C. chinchilla (Cabrera 1960). C. chinchilla is distinguishable from Lagostomus and Lagidium by its smaller size, head and body length 530���725 mm in Lagostomus (Jackson et al. 1996), and 360���505 in Lagidium (Ledesma et al. 2009). GENERAL CHARACTERS Chinchilla chinchilla (Fig. 1) is among the smallest chinchillid rodents (means in mm; n = 6; specimens from Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ���Bernardino Rivadavia��� [specimens MACN-Ma13037, 16267, 16268, 20430���20432, most from Abra Pampa, Jujuy, Argentina]): head and body length, 243.36; length of tail, 73.73; length of hind foot, 127.27. Condylobasal length is 60.86 mm, greatest width of skull across the zygomatic arches is 35.38 mm, interorbital width is 12.44 mm, mastoid width is 33.55 mm, and length of upper molar toothrow is 13.78 mm. Specimens from Abaroa, Region de Antofagasta, Chile (n = 2): length of ear, 31.27 mm, weighing 500���850 g; the female is the larger sex and males rarely weigh over 600 g. The silky pelage of long soft hairs that are up to 35mm in length is extremely dense (Grau 1986; Albert 1900) and considered one of the most valuable furs in the world (Jim��nez 1996). The general coloration of the dorsum is bluish, pearl, or brownish gray, and each hair usually has a black tip. The venter is a clear, yellowish white. The furry tail is covered with coarse hairs on the dorsal surface. The head is broad, with vestigial cheek pouches, and the pinnae, rounded with a covering of tiny hairs (Waterhouse 1848). The skull (Fig. 2) has greatly expanded auditory bullae. Means (mm) of 4 specimens from Laboratorio de Citogen��tica de Mamiferos, specimens 2360 and 2338 (Abaroa, Region de Antofagasta, Chile) and specimens 1898 and 1862 (Region de Antofagasta, Chile) were: bullar width, 13.18; bullar height, 24.5; greatest width of skull across the parietals including the external bullae, 31.9. The forefoot is short, with 5 digits and stiff bristles surrounding weak claws and each hind foot has 1 rudimentary and 3 normal digits. DISTRIBUTION The former distribution of Chinchilla chinchilla was indeed extensive, including the highlands of Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia (Chac��n 1892; Autran 1906; Walle 1914; House 1953; Grau 1986; Jim��nez 1996; Anderson 1997; Parera 2002; Woods and Kilpatrick 2005). But today it is extant only in Chile, specifically near the towns of El Laco (23��44 ��� S and 67��28 ��� W) and Morro Negro (25��00 ��� S and 68��45 ��� W); both are near the Llullaillaco volcano, in the Antofagasta region (Spotorno et al. 1998; Spotorno et al. 2004b; Tirado et al. 2012) and recently in the vicinity of Nevado Tres Cruces National Park (26��49 ��� 11 ��� S and 69��05 ��� 67 ��� W) in the Atacama region (Valladares et al. 2012; Fig. 3). In the past, wild populations of C. chinchilla were known from northern Chile, for example, the highlands of Arica (Autran 1906), Mejillones (Phillipi 1860), Licancabur volcano (Rudolph 1955), and La Ola and Potrerillos (Schlatter et al. 1987). Grau (1986) suggested that both Chinchilla species may have coexisted in sympatry near Potrerillos (north of Atacama region), which corresponds to the northern limit of the geographic distribution of C. lanigera and the southern limit for C. chinchilla. In Argentina, historical populations of C. chinchilla are known from near Antofalla, Catamarca (Autran 1906; Walker et al. 2007), in southwestern Jujuy (Olrog and Lucero 1981; Autran 1906), Salta (Autran 1906; Ortiz et al. 2010), La Rioja (Parera 2002), and North of San Juan (Cajal et al. 1981). In Bolivia, its former distribution reached the districts of La Paz, Oruro, and Potosi (Anderson 1997), with the last wild specimens being captured by residents of Huachacalla, Sabaya, and Caranga (Autran 1906; Walle 1914) and Lipez (Autran 1906). However, a small population was found recently within the National Reserve of Andean Fauna ���Eduardo Avaroa,��� in the Department of Potos��, specifically in the Laguna Colorada basin (Delgado et al. 2018). FORM AND FUNCTION The relatively broad head of Chinchilla chinchilla has the greatest width of skull across the zygomatic arches (means, n = 4; head with skin include, 36.57 mm; skull, 34.24 mm). The mandible lacks a masseteric crest. The canal of the large lacrimals opens on the side of the rostrum. The short paraoccipital process is attached to the auditory bulla. As in Chinchilla lanigera, each auditory bulla is extremely inflated, having 3 large vesicular protuberances: a nearly hemispherical superior, an oblong posterior, and pyriform inferior protuberance. The dental formula of the hypsodont teeth is i 1/1, c 0/0, p 1/1, m 3/3, total 20. The occlusal surface is composed of 3 closely packed lamellar plates. The laminae of the cheek teeth are widened and fused, with the enamel of each loph being strengthened on the anterior side but weakened on the posterior side in the upper cheek teeth, with the reverse occurring in the lower cheek teeth (Glanz and Anderson 1990). The enamel of the delicate incisors is usually dark yellow. The well-developed hind limb is longer than the forelimb. Means (mm) of long bones of the limbs include humerus (35.5), radius (39.0), ulna (48.75), femur (58.25), and tibia (68.25��� Cabrera 1960). The vertebral formula is 7 C, 13 T, 6 L, 2 S and 20 Ca, total 48 (Cabrera 1960). Chinchilla chinchilla has longer dorsal hairs than C. lanigera, up to 35 mm (Albert 1900). Hairs of the dorsum are bluegray at the root, with a distal broad white tinge and dark gray at the tip, producing a silvery gray tint suffused with black. The venter, inner surfaces of limbs, and feet are whitish. The tail has 2 dark bands on its upper surface (Waterhouse 1848). The basal metabolic rate is 0.498 �� 0.068 ml O2/g h, equivalent to 67.2% of the predicted value for a mammal of similar size (Kleiber 1961; Cort��s et al. 2003). The lower critical temperature (T lc) is 22��C. In a He���O2 atmosphere the relationship of metabolic rate versus ambient temperature (T a) was MR (ml O2/g h) = 2.28 ��� 0.0544 T a, during which the thermal conductance (C He) reached 0.0544 ml O2/g h. When ambient temperature was lowered to ���7.5��C in an artificial atmosphere, metabolic rate fell 16.9% with respect to the maximum metabolic rate of 2.52 �� 0.005 ml O2/g h, indicating that the thermoregulatory capability was exceeded. The aerobic metabolic expansivity, calculated as the ratio Maximum Metabolic Rate/Basal Metabolic Rate (MMR/BMR), was 5.1 (Cort��s et al. 2003). The relation MMR/ C (thermal conductance) = T b (body temperature) ��� T LL (calculated theoretical lower lethal temperature) gave a theoretical critical lethal temperature (Bozinovic and Rosenmann 1989) of ���67.8��C (Cort��s et al. 2003), close to the value of ���65.0��C obtained by extrapolating maximum metabolic rate (He���O2) on the regression curve of metabolic rate versus ambient temperature in normal air (Rosenmann and Morrison 1974; Cort��s et al. 2003). Minimum values of evaporative water loss were 0.498 �� 0.014 mg H2O/g h within the ambient temperature range of ��� 20��C, while the averages of evaporative water loss at 25��C, 30��C, and 32.5��C were 0.604, 0.820, and 1.105 mg H2O/g h, representing increases over the minimum of 20%, 65%, and 120%, respectively (Cort��s et al. 2003). At the highest experimental temperature, evaporative water loss was equivalent to only 24.6% of the basal rate of heat production (2.39 cal/g h���Cort��s et al. 2003). The low cooling capability was reflected in a body temperature increase of 1.1��C above the normothermic condition (38.7��C versus 37.6��C), a value within that expected for xeric rodents (Cort��s et al. 2000b). The low evaporative water loss may have unfavourable consequences at high temperatures where evaporative heat loss is important; for example, at an ambient temperature of 32.5��C, C. chinchilla was able to reduce evaporative water loss to only one-fourth that of metabolic heat production, which was reflected by a body temperature increase of 1.1��C. The efficiency index of water regulation for C. chinchilla (T a@) was 10.6��C. Replacing T a = 10.6��C in the regression equation (MR = 1.022 ��� 0.0239 T a), a value of 3.71 cal/g h is obtained; this is the energetic cost of maintaining water balance in C. chinchilla, indicative of a slightly lower efficiency compared with other Chilean rodents from mesic and xeric habitats (Cort��s et al. 2000a; Cort��s et al. 2003). Nevertheless, the energetic cost of maintaining water balance, MR-WB = 3.71 cal/g h, was similar to or lower than the values reported for other desert rodent species (Cort��s et al. 2003). Elevated hemoglobin oxygen affinity is a blood property considered an evolutionary adaptation in mammals living at high elevation (Monge and Le��n-Velarde 1991) because hypoxic environments exert strong selective pressures on oxygen levels. Hemoglobin affinity in Chinchilla correlates positively with elevation (Ostojic et al. 2002). C. chinchilla has a higher hemoglobin oxygen affinity (23.3 �� 0.06 mmHg) than C. lanigera (27.7 �� 0.03 mmHg���Ostojic et al. 2002). ONTOGENY AND REPRODUCTION In optimal conditions, wild Chinchilla chinchilla can produce 1 litter in October, January, and April (Albert 1900). Gestation in chinchillas from Bolivia and northwestern Argentina is 105���111 days (Dennler 1940). C. chinchilla can become sexually mature as early as 5.5 months, but the average is closer to 8 months (Ch��bez 1994). Births take place between February and March, and August to December, with a higher proportion of births in September. The 1st estrus and subsequent copulations occur in April, being more common from mid-May to July, and then between October and December, fully declining in February, when females have given birth (Dennler 1940). The semi-precocial neonates weigh about 35 g, are fully, have open eyes, and are able to creep under the mother���s body for warmth while she dries them. Females have 1 pair of inguinal and 2 pairs of lateral thoracic mammae. Neonates can eat plant food, which creates a smooth transition during weaning at about 6 weeks (Cockrum 1962). Experimental breeding in captivity is difficult, resulting in high percentages of sterility (Genta 1987). Some crosses between C. lanigera and C. chinchilla have been produced during captive breeding (Grau 1986). ECOLOGY Chinchilla chinchilla lives in areas of montane grassland and scrub, habitats similar to those of the viscacha, Lagidium (Mann 1978). Its natural habitat is the relatively barren areas of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 3,000 ���5,000 m. It usually shelters in crevices and holes among the rocks. Chinchilla chinchilla in the wild eats similar plants to Lagidium, essentially Festuca and Districhia grasses and Senecio and Parastrephia shrubs (Mann 1978). Populations of C. chinchilla from the Antofagasta region (Morro Negro, 25��00 ��� S and 68��45 ��� W; El Laco, 23��44 ��� S and 67��28 ��� W) are asso, Published as part of F., Pablo Valladares, Spotorno, ��ngel E., M., Arturo Cortes & R, Carlos Zuleta, 2018, Chinchilla chinchilla (Rodentia: Chinchillidae), pp. 51-58 in Mammalian Species 50 (960) on pages 51-56, DOI: 10.1093/mspecies/sey007, http://zenodo.org/record/4573505, {"references":["LICHTENSTEIN, M. H. C. 1830. Eriomys chinchilla Licht. ie Chinchilla- Wollmaus. 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There is relatively little information about the karyotype structure of the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera Mol.), an endemic South American rodent with 2n = 64 chromosomes and “duplicate-type X ch...

Este estudio caracteriza la dieta de Leopardus colocolo en los alrededores del lago Junín, en el centro del Perú, a partir de los restos de las presas presentes en 43 heces. El origen de las heces del predador se determinó a partir del ADN mitocondrial de las células epiteliales intestinales adheridas a la superficie de las heces, utilizando como marcador la región de control. Los restos de las presas fueron identificados utilizando literatura especializada y la comparación con especímenes de colección, identificando un total of 14 ítems alimenticios pertenecientes a mamíferos de las familias Cricetidae (6), Chinchillidae (1) y Caviidae (1) y aves de las familias Anatidae (3) y Rallidae (2), y un grupo de aves no identificadas (1). Los roedores fueron el principal componente de la dieta de L. colocolo, en frecuencia y biomasa, seguido por las aves. Entre los ítems alimenticios consumidos, el roedor cricétido pequeño Calomys sp. fue el más frecuente; sin embargo, el mayor aporte de biomasa relativa fue proporcionado por el roedor mediano Cavia tschudii. La amplitud de nicho obtenida fue baja (Bsta= 0.17), indicando una dieta especializada. Nuestros resultados confirman que, como ocurre con la mayoría de felinos pequeños neotropicales, L. colocolo es un predador especializado en la captura de vertebrados, principalmente mamíferos pequeños. No se registró variación estacional en la dieta y el análisis de las clases de edad de los roedores cricétidos mostró que los adultos fueron los más consumidos. Se infiere que L. colocolo tiene un patrón de actividad diurno y nocturno.

En este trabajo se presentan los valores isotópicos de carbono y nitrógeno obtenidos en especímenes de roedores correspondientes a la familia Chinchillidae de contextos arqueológicos del sitio Quebrada Seca 3 (QS3, Antofagasta de la Sierra, Prov. de Catamarca, Argentina) en la Puna Salada, correspondientes al Holoceno Temprano y Medio. Se trata de cuatro especímenes procedentes de niveles datados entre c. 9800 y 7800 AP. Los resultados indican que la relación isotópica media del carbono (δ13C) es de -19,7?, ± 0,2, y la del nitrógeno (δ15N) es de 4,6? ± 0,7. La relación C/N es de entre 3,3 y 3,5. Estos resultados permiten ubicar a estos valores dentro del rango conocido para los camélidos, ítem principal en la dieta de los cazadores-recolectores que habitaban la región en ese período. De acuerdo al registro zooarqueológico, los chinchíllidos también habrían sido consumidos, aunque en menor medida, y en este contexto su firma isotópica quedaría en gran medida diluida. In this paper, carbon and nitrogen isotopic values obtained on rodents of the Chinchillidae family are presented. These specimens come from archaeological levels of site Quebrada Seca 3 (QS3, Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca Province, Argentina) in the Salty Puna, which are dated back to the Early and Middle Holocene. They are four specimens derived from levels dated between c. 9800-7800 BP. The results indicate that carbon mid isotopic relationship (δ13C) is -19.7‰, ± 0.2, and that of nitrogen (δ15N) is 4.6‰ ± 0.7. C/N relationship is 3.3-3.5. These results suggest that the chinchillid isotopic values fall within the range of that of camelids, main item in the diet of the hunter-gatherers inhabiting the area at the time. According to the archaeofaunal record, chinchillid rodents would also have been consumed, although to a lesser extent, and in this context their isotopic signature would look greatly diluted. Fil: Mondini, Nora Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Panarello, Hector Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentina

The South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus inhabits primarily the Pampean and adjoining Espinal, Monte and Chaquenean regions of Argentina. In order to study the population genetic structure of L. maximus, a fragment of 560 bp of the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region 1from 90 individuals collected from the 3 subspecies and 8 groups along Argentina was amplified and analyzed. We found 9 haplotypes. The haplotype network did not show an apparent phylogeographical signal. Although low levels of genetic variation were found in all the subspecies and groups analyzed, a radiation of L. maximus would have occurred from the North and Center of the Pampean region toward the rest of its geographic range in Argentina. Low levels of genetic diversity, the existence of a single genetically distinct population in Argentina and changes of its effective size indicate that metapopulation processes and changes in human population dynamics during the late-Holocene were important factors shaping the population genetic structure of L. maximus in Argentina., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo